Washing-area drainage trough

ABSTRACT

A washing-area drainage trough comprises a sloping-walled drainage channel having a water flow surface defining at least one fall, at least two predefined recessed waste-water outlet locators in the water flow surface, and at least one bridging element locatable in at least one of the recessed waste-water outlet locators. The bridging element has an upper surface which lies flush or substantially flush with at least a portion of the water flow surface to define a smooth or substantially smooth flow path transition between the water flow surface of the drainage channel and the bridging element.

The present invention relates to a washing-area drainage trough, and towashing-area apparatus having such a drainage trough.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A shower tray with a drainage trough or gully, typically at or along oneside, is known. If the drainage trough is sufficiently short, then onlyone waste-water outlet device is required, usually including a trap, anda fall is provided in the drainage channel to the outlet device.

However, longer drainage troughs may require more than one waste-wateroutlet device. In this case, the drainage trough is manufactured with asufficient number of drainage openings to meet requirements, forexample, two, three or more. These drainage openings may be in the baseof the drainage channel or in a side wall thereof

The installer must then purchase a suitable drainage trough to meetrequirements. However, it is often the case that the installer does notknow the specific requirements of a particular installation prior tovisiting the work site and/or undertaking the install. It thereforeincreases installation time and thus costs if an installer must obtainthe required drainage trough partway through the installation or onlyonce the installation site has been assessed.

Furthermore, the provision of two or more drainage openings causes astanding water issue if only one of the drainage openings is utilised byhaving an outlet device connected thereto. If the second drainageopening is not provided with an outlet device, then pooling of run offwater can accumulate at that location leading to stagnation and apotential health hazard.

The present invention seeks to overcome these problems.

STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is providedA washing-area drainage trough comprising: a sloping-walled drainagechannel having a water flow surface defining at least one fall; at leasttwo predefined recessed waste-water outlet locators in the water flowsurface; and at least one bridging element locatable in at least one ofthe recessed waste-water outlet locators, wherein the bridging elementhas an upper surface which lies at least substantially flush with atleast a portion of the water flow surface to define a substantiallysmooth flow path transition between the water flow surface of thedrainage channel and the bridging element.

The term ‘trough’ is also intended to include ‘gully’.

The bridging element is beneficial in that it aids in maintaining acontinuous or substantially continuous and unbroken or substantiallyunbroken flow path across unused outlet device locations.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda kit of parts for a washing area, comprising a washing-area drainagetrough in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, and ashower-floor former or shower tray to which the washing-area drainagetrough is liquidly communicable.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is providedwashing-area apparatus comprising a wet-floor former, a wet-floorcovering over the wet-floor former, a washing-area drainage trough inaccordance with the first aspect of the invention and which is in liquidcommunication with the wet-floor covering, a waste-water outlet deviceat at least one of said waste-water outlet locators and connected to adrain, and an apertured access cover which extends across the drainagechannel.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is providedwashing-area apparatus comprising a shower tray having a user-supportportion with a fall and a washing-area drainage trough in accordancewith the first aspect of the invention and which is in liquidcommunication with the user-support portion, a waste-water outlet deviceat at least one of said waste-water outlet locators and connected to adrain, and an apertured access cover which extends across the drainagechannel to receive run off waste water from the fall.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of part of a first embodiment ofa washing-area drainage trough, in accordance with the first aspect ofthe invention and shown in use with a slimline level-entry shower tray;

FIG. 2 shows the drainage trough having a waste-device opening formed inone of a plurality of waste-water outlet locators;

FIG. 3 shows a bridging element provided in each of the locators notbeing used;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view from above of the bridging element;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view from below of the bridging element;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along line B-B in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 shows a waste-water outlet device provided in the waste-deviceopening shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view along line C-C in FIG. 8, showing thewaste-water outlet device clamped in place and without a cover;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view from above of a second embodiment of awashing-area drainage trough, in accordance with the first aspect of theinvention and shown again in use with a slimline level-entry showertray;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view from above of the bridging element shownin use in FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view from below of the bridging element shownin use in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 to 9 of the drawings, there is shown afirst embodiment of a washing-area drainage trough 10 which comprises adrainage channel 12, a plurality of predefined recessed waste-wateroutlet locators 14, and at least one bridging element 16.

The drainage trough 10 is preferably plastics moulded, but may be metal,such as stainless steel. The drainage channel 12 comprises longitudinalsloping side walls 18 and lateral sloping end walls 20. The sloping sideand end walls 18, 20 provide a stepped fall to a longitudinal centralnarrow base portion 22 forming the lowermost region of a flow pathbetween the recessed waste-water outlet locators 14. In this case, thedrainage channel 12 is linear, thereby forming a linear flow pathbetween the recessed waste-water outlet locators 14. However, anon-linear or arcuate drainage channel 12 could be envisaged.

Excluding the recessed waste-water outlet locators 14, preferably alower sloped portion 24 of each sloping side wall 18 defines a regulartrapezium shape, and a lower sloped portion 26 of each sloping end wall20 defines a triangular shape, in this case being an equilateral orisosceles. However, other shapes may be envisaged.

The upper sloped portions 28, 30 of the side walls 18 and the end walls20 provides a continuous inwardly-projecting shoulder 32 on which anapertured access cover (not shown) can be removably mounted to cover thedrainage channel 12. Advantageously, the shoulder 32 also slopesdownwardly to drain onto the lower sloped portions 24, 26 of the slopingside and end walls 18, 20. Once seated, the access cover is preferablyflush or substantially flush with an uppermost perimeter edge 34 of thesloping side and end walls 18, 20 if the drainage surface 68,70 is ashower tray, or flush or substantially flush with the final showerfinished floor surface above this, if the drainage surface 68,70 is thatof a wet floor shower former.

To provide for suitable flow to each recessed waste-water outlet locator14, a fall defined by the sloping side walls 18 is optionally onlyacross the lateral extent of the side walls 18. The sloping end walls 20thus promote flow towards the recessed waste-water outlet locators 14,thereby dispensing with the need for the sloping side walls 18 to alsohave a fall across the longitudinal extent. However, this option is notnecessarily excluded from the present invention.

Although the lowermost base portion 22 of the drainage channel 12 issymmetrically or substantially symmetrically positioned relative to thelateral extent of the drainage channel 12, it may be offset to one side,dependent on necessity.

In this embodiment, each waste-water outlet locator 14 is symmetricallyrecessed into opposing sloping side walls 18. Three waste-water outletlocators 14 are provided, although only two may be formed or more thanthree may be utilised. A spacing between neighbouring waste-water outletlocators 14 is preferably equal or substantially equal, andbeneficially, the waste-water outlet locators 14 do not encroach on thesloping end walls 20.

A solid base 36 is provided which closes a bottom of each waste-wateroutlet locator 14. The base 36 is recessed relative to the lowermostbase portion 22 of the drainage channel 12 at which the sloping sidewalls 18 meet, as shown in FIG. 6. From the solid base 36, the sidewalls38 of the waste-water outlet locator 14 form an arcuate varying heightrise to meet the lower sloped portions 24 of the sloping side walls 18of the drainage channel 12.

Although it is preferable that the base 36 of the waste-water outletlocator 14 is solid, thereby allowing a suitable drain opening 40 to bedrilled to accommodate a required waste-water outlet device, the drainopening may be preformed during manufacture. In this case, it would bepreferable to include a closure element, such as a bung, to watertightlyclose the preformed drain opening in the event that it is not to beused. It should be noted that such a closure element could beconveniently formed as part of the aforementioned bridging element 16.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 8 and 9, the solid base 36 has a sufficientdiameter to provide a radially extending perimeter flange 42 around thedrain opening 40, once formed. A standard or known waste-water outletdevice 44 can thus be located in the drain opening 40 in a conventionalfashion. In this case, the waste-water outlet device 44 is clamped tothe flange 42, and a dip tube 46 extends into a depending device body 48to form a water trap 50. A drain outlet 52 extends from a side of thedevice body 48 for connection to a waste pipe communicating with adrain. However, any other known and suitable waste-water outlet devicecan be utilised.

A benefit of providing multiple waste-water outlet locators 14 is that aflexibility of location of the waste-water outlet device 44 issignificantly improved. For example, if a supporting joist at aninstallation site obstructs one of the waste-water outlet locators 14,it is likely that another of the waste-water outlet locators 14 isunobstructed and can thus be utilised. Furthermore, in a largerinstallation or with an installation requiring a greater waste-waterflow rate, two or more waste-water outlet devices 44 can be utilised,and these may be in liquid communication with each other external of thedrainage channel.

Once it has been decided how many of the waste-water outlet locators 14are to be utilised, each remaining waste-water outlet locator 14 can becapped using the bridging element 16, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 7.Preferably, a suitable number of bridging elements 16 are provided foreach unused waste-water outlet locator 14.

The bridging element 16 of this embodiment has a body 54 with an uppersurface 56 which is profiled to match or substantially match the profileof the lateral extent of the lower sloped portions 24 of the slopingside walls 18, spaced from the sloping end walls 20. In this case, theupper surface 56 is V-shaped or substantially V-shaped, but other shapesare feasible dependent on the profile of the drainage channel 12.

The body 54 of the bridging element 16 is substantially plate- ordisc-like, and spacing means 58 are provided on an underside to supportthe body 54 on the solid base 36 of the waste-water outlet locator 14and to raise it slightly away therefrom. The spacing means 58 mayadvantageously be in the form of a plurality of legs 60, which in thiscase are chamfered to accommodate an upwardly curved perimeter edge ofthe solid base 36. A height of the legs 60 may vary as required so thatthe non-planar bridging element 16 can be supported stably on the planarsolid base 36. The spacing means 58 is preferably formed at or adjacentto a perimeter edge 62 of the body 54 of the bridging element 16, sothat should a drain opening 40 be inadvertently formed in a solid base36, the legs 60 can still locate on the perimeter flange 42.

The height of the spacing means 58 and a thickness of the body 54 issuch that the upper surface 56 of the bridging element 16 lies flush orsubstantially flush with the lower sloped portions 24 of the opposingsloping side walls 18. A smooth or substantially smooth flow pathtransition between the sloping side walls 18 of the drainage channel 12and the bridging element 16 is thus formed.

To hold the bridging element 16 in place, preferably sealant or awater-resistant adhesive is used for bonding the bridging element 16into the recessed waste-water outlet locator 14. However, otherattachment means can be considered, such as a press-fit or snap-fitengagement between an edge of the body 54 of the bridging element 16 andthe use of an O-ring to create a watertight seal.

Furthermore, the spacing means may be provided in or adjacent to thewaste-water outlet locator 14. For example, if utilising legs, thesecould be provided on the solid base 36. Additionally or alternatively, ashoulder could be provided in a wall of the waste-water outlet locator14 to seat the bridging element 16 at the correct height.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 to 12, a second embodiment of a washing-areadrainage trough is shown. References which are the same as or similar tothose of the first embodiment correspond to the same or similar parts,and therefore detailed further description is omitted.

The washing-area drainage trough 10 of this embodiment again comprises adrainage channel 12, a plurality of predefined recessed waste-wateroutlet locators 14, and at least one bridging element 116. The drainagechannel 12 and the waste-water outlet locators 14 are as describedabove. However, the bridging element 116 has a body 154 with a planar orsubstantially planar upper surface 156. The bridging element 116 isconfigured to position the upper surface 156 so as to lie flush orsubstantially flush with the lowermost base portion 22 of the drainagechannel 12. This positioning defines a smooth or substantially smoothflow path transition between the meeting point of the sloping side walls18 of the drainage channel 12 and the bridging element 116, therebyallowing a substantially unhindered, although narrower, flow path to thewaste-water outlet locator 14 in which the waste-water outlet device 44is provided.

The transition between the bridging element 116 and the sloping sidewalls 18 of the second embodiment is of a reduced lateral extent thanthat afforded by the first embodiment. However, for many installationsituations requiring lower flow rates, the planar upper surface 156 ofthe bridging element 116 is sufficient.

Although the legs of the first embodiment can be utilised, the spacingmeans 158 of this second embodiment is in the form of an elongatearcuate wall 164 which is inboard of the perimeter edge of the body 54of the bridging element 116. The body 154 includes a depending skirtelement 166 adjacent to the perimeter edge which is shaped toaccommodate an up-curved perimeter edge of the solid base 36 of thewaste-water outlet locator 14. The elongate arcuate wall 164 ispositioned radially inwardly of the skirt element 166, and may extendcontinuously to provide support and accurate spacing for the body 154relative to the solid base 36.

The waste-water outlet locators may be formed in a side of the drainagechannel, as required. This may be beneficial for installations with lessclearance, such as between joists.

The drainage trough can be utilised with a wet-floor former, typicallyas part of a showering area, or as part of a dedicated shower tray. Inthe present embodiments, the drainage trough 10 is shown being utilisedtogether with a slimline or level-entry shower tray 68. In this case,the shower tray 68 includes a user-support portion 70 which issufficient to support a person thereon and which has a fall fordirecting run-off waste water to the drainage trough 10. In theseoptions, it is convenient to form the drainage trough as one-piece withthe shower tray or former, and as shown in the drawings. Alternatively,the drainage trough can be separate of the shower tray or former andconnected thereto during installation. It is also feasible that thedrainage trough can be used as a standalone device, for example, bybeing embedded in concrete during the forming of a washing area.

It is thus possible to provide a washing-area drainage trough whichprovides multiple waste-water outlet locators for an installer, alongwith at least one bridging element to cap an unused waste-water outletlocator. The bridging element lies flush or substantially flush with theedge of the surrounding drainage channel walls, whereby the waste-waterflow path is provided with a smooth transition across the cappedwaste-water outlet locator. Flow to a waste-water outlet locator in oron which is mounted a waste-water outlet device is thus improved, andthere is less likelihood of standing water remaining along with thepotential hazards that this presents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A washing-area drainage trough comprising: asloping-walled drainage channel having a water flow surface defining atleast one fall; at least two predefined recessed waste-water outletlocators in the water flow surface; and at least one bridging elementlocatable in at least one of the recessed waste-water outlet locators,wherein the bridging element has an upper surface which lies at leastsubstantially flush with at least a portion of the water flow surface todefine a substantially smooth flow path transition between the waterflow surface of the drainage channel and the bridging element.
 2. Thewashing-area drainage trough as claimed in claim 1, wherein the uppersurface of the bridging element is profiled to at least substantiallymatch the profile of the water flow surface of the drainage channel,whereby the edge of the upper surface lies at least substantially flushwith the water flow surface, so as to provide a substantially unsteppedbridge across the respective waste-water outlet locator.
 3. Thewashing-area drainage trough as claimed in claim 2, wherein the uppersurface of the bridging element is non-planar.
 4. The washing-areadrainage trough as claimed in claim 2, wherein the upper surface of thebridging element is or is substantially V-shaped.
 5. The washing-areadrainage trough as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bridging elementincludes at least one spacing element which spaces the upper surfacefrom a bottom surface of the waste-water outlet locator.
 6. Thewashing-area drainage trough as claimed in claim 5, wherein the spacingelement includes a plurality of spaced apart legs.
 7. The washing-areadrainage trough as claimed in claim 6, wherein the legs support a bodyof the bridging element so as to be spaced above the bottom surface ofthe waste-water outlet locator.
 8. The washing-area drainage trough asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the bridging element isplanar or substantially planar.
 9. The washing-area drainage trough asclaimed in claim 8, wherein the bridging element includes at least onespacing element which spaces the upper surface from a bottom surface ofthe waste-water outlet locator, the spacing element having at least oneelongate arcuate wall which depends from an underside of a body of thebridging element.
 10. The washing-area drainage trough as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the recessed waste-water outlet locator is integrallyformed as one-piece with the drainage channel, and includes a blankingbase.
 11. The washing-area drainage trough as claimed in claim 10,wherein the blanking base is dimensioned to accept an aperture adaptedto receive a standard waste water outlet device whilst providing aperimeter flange around the aperture.
 12. The washing-area drainagetrough as claimed in claim 11, wherein a lateral extent of the flange issufficient for the said standard waste water outlet device to be clampedthereto.
 13. A kit of parts for a washing area, comprising awashing-area drainage trough as claimed in claim 1, and at least one ofa shower-floor former and a shower tray to which the washing-areadrainage trough is liquidly communicable.
 14. Washing-area apparatuscomprising a wet-floor former, a wet-floor covering over the wet-floorformer, a washing-area drainage trough as claimed in claim 1 and whichis in liquid communication with the wet-floor covering, a waste-wateroutlet device at at least one of said waste-water outlet locators andconnected to a drain, and an apertured access cover which extends acrossthe drainage channel.
 15. Washing-area apparatus comprising a showertray having a user-support portion with a fall and a washing-areadrainage trough as claimed in claim 1 and which is in liquidcommunication with the user-support portion, a waste-water outlet deviceat at least one of said waste-water outlet locators and connected to adrain, and an apertured access cover which extends across the drainagechannel to receive run off waste water from the fall.